- One of the most significant collections of Roman coins
to be found in Britain in recent years has been unearthed by a man digging
a fishpond.
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- Ken Allen was 20 feet from his back door in Bristol when
he found a ceramic urn, complete with lid, containing 15,000 to 20,000
bronze coins. It was four feet below the surface.
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- Archaeologists said yesterday that the haul was one of
the largest collections of fourth-century Roman coins found in the south-west
of England. Gail Boyle, of the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, said the
coins dated back to the Emperor Constantine the Great (AD307-337). "It's
surprising for the area as it's modern housing," she said.
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- Mr Allen, 47, a sales manager who has lived at the property
for 15 years, said: "My old garden pond was inches away from the spot
and I have planted trees in this area, so I was surprised that I hadn't
discovered it before now."
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- If the find is classed as treasure Mr Allen may be entitled
to a reward equal to the market value of the coins.
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- © 2004 Independent Digital (UK) Ltd
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- http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/story.jsp?story=500343
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